Amazon has rolled out version 2 of their popular Kindle app for Windows Phone devices. The update comes without a changelog but was long overdue as their last app change came with version 1.2 way back in July. That update brought ‘Mango’ support including Live Tiles for books and this one goes along the same path but for Windows Phone 8.

The good news is if you’re on Windows Phone 8, the app now supports all resolutions and doublewide Tiles, including those for books, which is a neat twist. They will even flip to display some information, including the last book you read and where you are in a current tome.

The app is listed as Windows Phone 8 only though, which means for those on 7.x you can still download version 1.2 but you won’t be getting the new look (or of course doublewide Tiles).

Speaking of that new look, Amazon has gone for a more barebones logo with version 2.0, though it is only skin deep as it is merely on the Tiles and not within the app itself. The new logo is orange with ‘kindle’ emblazoned across, keeping the design simple and bold (we like). The app though still looks exactly like version 1.2.

Surprisingly, Amazon did not opt for a fast-resume, meaning if you tap the Tile of an already “tombstoned” app in the background it won’t continue as is but will instead re-launch the app. Hopefully Amazon can improve upon that in a future update as such functionality is crucial to the Windows Phone 8 experience.

Other than the look and doublewide tiles, we haven’t found too many differences. There still is neither search ability nor read-aloud function, making this app still lighter in features than its counterparts on other platforms. Still, we’re hearing that for some people some bugs have been alleviated with this release for syncing and opening of books, so that’s a start.

Edit: Make sure you do a "clean install" meaning you uninstall the app then re-install it,otherwise it will crash.

Windows Phone 8 users can grab version 2.0 of Amazon Kindle here in the Store. Thanks, Seth H., for the tip!

I also had to uninstall and re-install. Also having an issue where whenever I re-enter the app and start reading a book, the page is blank until I tap the bottom of the screen and toggle the settings a bit.

Indeed, though b&n still hasn't even updated their mac os app to work with mountain lion so they do seem to move slow. The good news is you can install the kindle app on your nook ereader if you root it.

On Amazon.com, under "Your Account", go to "Manage Your Kindle". Then on the menu on the left, under "Your Kindle Account", select "Manage Your Devices". Then under "Registered Kindle Reading Apps", select the device name that was associated to the old Kindle app and deregister it. Next, select the device name associated with the new Kindle app (i.e. the "new" device), and edit the device name to what your original phone device name was. Easy peasy.
If anyone hasn't already installed the new app yet, open your current Kindle app, derigester your device, then uninstall the app. Then install the new app, and register your device. That should avoid the duplicate devices.

Any reason to use this over Nokia Reading? I'd prefer to have my library all in one place - I don't have a Kindle (and find reading books on a PC straining on the eyes). What other advantages does Amazon have?

So they changed the logo.
Well, I'm keeping the old version then. 'cause I like the old logo and HATE this awful orange one. And since apparently there are bugs needing fix, I'll hold on for quite a while.

doesn't rcognize anything that is uploaded to storage, only amazon purchases. iPhone and android versions will work with uploads, but not WP version. can't read anything I didn't get from amazon. not an improvement at all.

App won't open at all, and before someone tells me to uninstall and reinstall, I already did that, twice. When I first tried to open it, it flipped back to the start screen. Now when I try to open it, I get a "Problem with App" message on my screen, which then invites me to either uninstall it or buy the app.
Edit: After the 5th time uninstalling and reinstalling, it seems to finally be working. Now, I can say that I wish it had a read aloud function and a fast resume function as noted in the article above. Driving a great deal, the read-aloud function would be an awesome addition, and frankly one that I would shell out a couple of bucks for in the form of a paid app.

Like most I had to uninstall and then install the new version. Snappier performance, but that Tile! Ughh! It looks like someone tore a piece off the wall from "Welcome Back Kotter!" If I wanted my home page to look like the 1970's threw up on it I would choose a Colour Theme of mustard, brown or orange. I didn't. Take a hint Amazon, if you ever want to see your double-wide tile again make it us the theme color please!
For now, Kindle will have to remain in my App list. I'm too embarrassed to show that hideous design throwback to anyone. PS, My phone is a lovely deep red. Think that goes well with your Tile? Me neither.

It's disappointing to discover that the Read Out Loud Feature is still not supported in the Windows Phone 8 version of the Kindle App. Once they add that functionality I'll start using Kindles services.

I second the support for wanting rotation lock and the ability to email documents to the Windows Phone 8 app. I've kept my old android around as an ereader since it's not supported for WP8 yet. I've emailed the suggestion to Amazon, but maybe some of the Microsoft people reading this blog can more strongly suggest it to them than I can. I'd love to stop carrying around that android entirely.